October 6, 2008
Dear Fencers and Fencing Families:
 We are writing to share some news about the South Jersey Division of the USFA and to ask you to consider supporting the annual fund, which will enable us to accomplish even more than we have done in the past.
Accomplishments in 2007-08
 In the 2007-08 fencing season, we hosted record numbers of fencers in our Qualifiers for the Junior Olympics and Summer Nationals. In addition, the South Jersey Division hosted several events with a focus on referee education:
•  a referee training seminar with Jeff Bukantz that resulted in 7 fencers receiving FOC certification that will allow them to referee at a national level;
•  an advanced saber seminar with Ivan Lee and Brad Baker, with analysis of commonly-misunderstood calls and trends in saber refereeing; and
•  a South Jersey Division-sponsored tournament that gave paid refereeing experience to teen fencers.
In honor of Gene Fiducia’s decades of service to the South Jersey Division, we established    The Gene Fiducia Fencer’s Grant, which awarded $250 to fencer Alexander Lee for a winning essay about why he loves fencing.
 Other accomplishments: Anjan Loft secured nonprofit status for the South Jersey Division under the USFA umbrella, which now allows contributions to be fully tax-decuctible. John Hampshire established and maintained the South Jersey Division Web site, www.southjerseyfencing.org, and several contributors kept the FASJ Yahoogroup active with over 600 messages about tournaments and other opportunities for fencers.
Goals for 2008-09
 This year we hope to host and qualify another record number of South Jersey fencers at the    JO Qualifiers (November 15, 2008) and Summer Nationals Qualifiers (April 11, 2009); registration will take place through www.askfred.net. We will continue to award The Gene Fiducia Fencer’s Grant, and we hope to establish an award in honor of Joel Spielberg’s many years of service to the Division.
 We would like to raise funds so that we can develop more programs and host more events, including:
•  a sports psychology clinic;
•  an armory clinic to teach the basics of equipment maintenance; and
•  an international fencer exchange program.     
 Please consider making a fully tax-deductible contribution of any size; gifts to our annual fund will help make all of this possible. All donors will be acknowledged on our Web site, www.southjerseyfencing.org. We have received a pledge for a matching grant of $1000, with   a deadline of January 1, 2009—so please write a check now, and help us reach our goal!

Thank you,

Andy Ma                                              Witold Rutkowski       
Chair                                                     Vice-Chair                              

John Hampshire                                    Janet Wong
Secretary                                               Treasurer

 

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Yes, I wish to make a charitable gift in support of the programs and activities of the South Jersey Division of the USFA!
___ Gold Medal Donor - $500 or above          ___ Olympian - $50-$99
___ Silver Medal Donor - $250-$499              ___ Collegiate – under $50
___ Bronze Medal Donor - $100-$249
                             Please send your gift in the enclosed envelope to:                                                                             South Jersey Division of the USFA    •    PO Box 3334   •   Cherry Hill, NJ 08034                             Any gift will be appreciated; no amount is too small!